Childminder in Stockport

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY380970 Inspection date 03/03/2009 Inspector Jeanne Lesley Walsh

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.2

Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

p.2

Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

p.2

Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2008. She lives with her husband and her three year old son. They live in the Stockport area of Cheshire, within walking distance of shops, schools and a park. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, as well as the bathroom on the first floor and the back bedroom for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a pet cat. The childminder takes children to local children's activity groups and other places of interest, with parental consent.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a total of five children at any one time, under the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She is also registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register to enable her to care for older children. There is currently one child on roll under five years of age, attending on a part time basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder is beginning to know the children she minds well and welcomes them as individuals. She is developing a positive partnership with parents to help her to achieve a consistent approach to their care. The children are beginning to make satisfactory progress in their learning and development, in relation to their starting points. However, the childminder is still developing her own knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework and there is weakness in the current planning and assessment systems. These do not specifically cover all learning areas or link to children's individual needs. The childminder also demonstrates only a basic knowledge of safeguarding procedures and provides few opportunities to promote diversity and difference in the setting.

p.3

further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

p.3

further?

 further develop knowledge and awareness of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework  ensure that activity planning consistently covers all areas of learning in sufficient breadth and depth and that it links specifically to children's individual next steps  further develop activities and resources to promote a positive attitude to diversity and difference  further develop knowledge and understanding of child protection and share relevant policy information with parents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

provision

The childminder is aware of her own strengths and weaknesses and is beginning to reflect on her practise. She is particularly aware that she needs to improve her planning and further develop her knowledge of the EYFS. The planning does not consistently cover all learning areas sufficiently, or link specifically to children's next steps. However, the childminder shows a willingness to improve her setting. For example, records show how she is beginning to keep observations of children and use the guidance documents to help her identify the next steps in their learning and development.

p.4

provision

The childminder understands her role with regard to child protection, although she does not routinely share safeguarding information with parents. She demonstrates an awareness of signs and symptoms of abuse and has appropriate procedures to follow should she have concerns. However, she lacks the confidence, in her overall knowledge in this area, to ensure the full protection of children. Comprehensive risk assessments are completed to cover all areas in the setting, outside in the garden and on outings. This ensures that children are cared for in a safe environment. She is starting to help the children to become aware of keeping themselves and each other safe. She reminds them not touch the radiators or go near the cooker. She talks to them about road safety. On outings they use the pedestrian crossing when possible, and are gradually becoming aware that the green man says go and the red man says stop. The children are reminded to hold

p.4

provision

on to the push chair when they go out to help them to stay safe. Depending on age the childminder also uses reigns or wrist strap for further safety.

p.4

provision

The childminder is beginning to establish good relationships with the parents. During the initial settling in period they discuss children's specific care needs and begin to establish their developmental starting points. Information is shared through discussion, to keep each other informed of any issues, on a daily basis. The childminder also keeps a record of the children's activities and progress, which she shares with the parent. She also informs the parents of her responsibility to deliver the EYFS, to help promote a consistent approach to children's learning and development.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder cares for the children in a homely environment, where she takes positive steps to meet their individual welfare needs. The children are beginning to learn about self-care and good hygiene through daily routines. For example, they make good use of tissues and know they must dispose of them appropriately in the bin. The childminder has a healthy eating policy and plans activities that include opportunity for daily exercise. She discusses children's individual dietary needs with the parents and provides food accordingly. The children eat their meals in the kitchen, either sitting at the table or in the high chair and they are starting to learn positive social skills.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are starting to make satisfactory progress in their learning and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development. The childminder discusses their starting points with the parents and in conjunction with her own observations, she is beginning to know them well. The childminder understands the importance of purposeful play and has a good awareness of how children learn and develop. She has started to keep individual records of the children's activities and observations of their progress. However, there is no evidence to show that planning consistently covers all areas of learning in sufficient breadth and depth. It also does not effectively link in with children's specific needs or next steps.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a variety of experiences and a daily routine that helps the children to feel secure in the environment. They are becoming involved in a balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities and are encouraged to choose from a good range of toys and activities. The younger children are curious about everything, as they try to copy the older children. They crawl safely around the floor and then pull themselves up on the furniture, busily exploring their environment. They investigate the activity centre and become excited when they press the buttons and it begins to play music. They love singing and join in with action rhymes as they 'wind the bobbin up'. The childminder constantly praises their efforts and they all celebrate and applaud each other's achievements.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are introduced to shape and number as they access the brightly coloured shape sorters and jigsaw puzzles. They count how many feet they have and how many socks they need. They are developing their fine motor skills as they handle the sand, the glue and the paint. The children are starting to learn about their local community. They go for walks to the park and for rides on the bus and they are becoming familiar with the different places they visit. They have access to a range of puzzles and books about animals, transport, the sea and the sky, which help to support their learning. Although the childminder provides a range of interesting activities, there are very few resources or activities available that help to promote the children's awareness of diversity and difference. However, the children are happy and are settling well in the setting and are developing warm relationships with the childminder and each other.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

p.6

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

p.6

Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 3

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

p.8

Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.8